Create Custom Agent

Create Custom Agent

This skill helps you create VS Code custom agent files that define specialized AI personas for development tasks. Custom agents configure which tools are available, provide specialized instructions, and can chain together via handoffs.

When to Use

• Creating a new custom agent from scratch
• Scaffolding an .agent.md file with proper frontmatter
• Setting up agent-to-agent handoffs for multi-step workflows
• Configuring tool restrictions for specialized roles (planner, reviewer, etc.)
• Creating workspace-shared or user-profile agents

When Not to Use

• Creating instruction files (use .instructions.md instead)
• Creating reusable prompts (use .prompt.md instead)
• Modifying existing agents (edit the file directly)

Inputs

Workflow

Step 1: Create the agent file

Create a file with .agent.md extension in the agents/ directory:

agents/<agent-name>.agent.md

Step 2: Add YAML frontmatter

Add the header with required and optional fields:

---name: <agent-name>description: <brief description for chat placeholder>tools:  - <tool-name>  - <tool-set-name>---

Available frontmatter fields:

Step 3: Configure tools

Specify which tools the agent can use:

tools:  - search              # Built-in tool  - fetch               # Built-in tool  - codebase            # Tool set  - myServer/*          # All tools from MCP server

Common tool patterns:

• Read-only agents: ['search', 'fetch', 'codebase']
• Full editing agents: ['*'] or specific editing tools
• Specialized agents: Cherry-pick specific tools

Step 4: Add handoffs (optional)

Configure transitions to other agents:

handoffs:  - label: Start Implementation    agent: implementation    prompt: Implement the plan outlined above.    send: false    model: GPT-5.2 (copilot)

Handoff fields:

• label: Button text displayed to user
• agent: Target agent identifier
• prompt: Pre-filled prompt for target agent
• send: Auto-submit prompt (default: false)
• model: Optional model override for handoff

Step 5: Write agent instructions (body)

Add the agent's behavior instructions in Markdown:

You are a security-focused code reviewer. Your job is to:
1. Analyze code for security vulnerabilities2. Check for common security anti-patterns3. Suggest secure alternatives
## Guidelines
- Focus on OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities- Flag hardcoded secrets immediately- Review authentication and authorization logic
## Reference other files
See [security guidelines](../security.md) for standards.

Tips for instructions:

• Use Markdown links to reference other files
• Reference tools with #tool:<tool-name> syntax
• Be specific about agent behavior and constraints

Step 6: Validate the agent

Verify the agent loads correctly:

1. Open Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P)
2. Run "Chat: New Custom Agent" or check agents dropdown
3. Use "Diagnostics" view (right-click in Chat view) to check for errors

Template

---name: <agent-name>description: <brief description for chat placeholder>argument-hint: <optional hint for user input>tools:  - <tool-1>  - <tool-2>handoffs:  - label: <button-text>    agent: <target-agent>    prompt: <pre-filled-prompt>    send: false---
# <Agent Title>
<One paragraph describing the agent's persona and purpose.>
## Role
<Describe the agent's specialized role and expertise.>
## Guidelines
- <Guideline 1>- <Guideline 2>- <Guideline 3>
## Workflow
1. <Step 1>2. <Step 2>3. <Step 3>
## Constraints
- <Constraint 1>- <Constraint 2>

Example Agents

Planning Agent

---name: plannerdescription: Generate an implementation plantools:  - search  - fetch  - codebasehandoffs:  - label: Start Implementation    agent: implementation    prompt: Implement the plan above.---
# Planning Agent
You are a solution architect. Generate detailed implementation plans.
## Guidelines
- Analyze requirements thoroughly before planning- Break work into discrete, testable steps- Identify dependencies and risks- Do NOT make code changes

Code Review Agent

---name: code-reviewerdescription: Review code for quality and security issuestools:  - search  - codebase---
# Code Review Agent
You are a senior engineer performing code review.
## Focus Areas
- Security vulnerabilities- Performance concerns- Code maintainability- Test coverage gaps
## Output Format
Provide findings as:1. **Critical**: Must fix before merge2. **Warning**: Should address3. **Suggestion**: Nice to have

Validation Checklist

• File has .agent.md extension
• File is in agents/ directory
• YAML frontmatter is valid (proper indentation, no syntax errors)
• Description is non-empty and descriptive
• Tools list contains only available tools
• Handoff agent names match existing agents
• Instructions are clear and actionable
• Agent appears in agents dropdown

Common Pitfalls

References

• VS Code Custom Agents Documentation
• Tools in Chat
• Custom Instructions
• Prompt Files